Just Forests call on LIDI to stop selling rhododendron

An ecological disaster is taking place in Killarney National Park - the first national park to be established in the State. One of the world’s oldest oak forests is slowly dying – because the rhododendron infestation and increased deer population across the region is annihilating native flora and preventing new native species from growing.

An ecological disaster is taking place in Killarney National Park - the first national park to be established in the State. One of the world’s oldest oak forests is slowly dying – because the rhododendron infestation and increased deer population across the region is annihilating native flora and preventing new native species from growing.

Just Forests is calling on LIDL management to remove rhododendron plants which go on sale Monday 12th September from all LIDL Stores across Ireland immediately as a means of preventing ecocide in Ireland’s wilderness areas and help prevent the annihilation of our native flora.

While we fully recognise and appreciate the great voluntary work carried out over the years by groups such as Killarney Mountain Meitheal, Groundwork, Voluntary Services International and Killarney National Park, in their efforts to remove rhododendron we also recognise the futility of such great efforts when seen in the context of the larger problem itself, namely, the absence of a formal regulatory instrument supported by an adequately financed Action Plan in the Cork/Kerry region.

“We are therefore asking LIDL to withdraw their planned sale of rhododendron in all outlets nationwide in solidarity with voluntary efforts underway”, according to Tom Roche, Just Forests.

Just Forests wrote to Michael Ring TD, Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, on 26 August asking the Minister to put an Action Plan for the safe removal of rhododendron from all part of Killarney National Park before it is too late.